AHCHOO! Sneezefest 2006

Ok so seriously I think today I've sneezed a dozen times.... and although to some that may not seem like a lot, but when you think about it, I've been up since - oh I've been up since 6.... hmmm I was going to go with "I've been up for twelve hours, so that's a sneeze an hour" theory, but I've now realized that's shot to hell since it's half past 10pm... ok but really, I'm sure a few of those sneezes were the double sneezes, as was the most recent which is the sneeze that prompted this blog as the screen was open and I was contemplating what to write as a title.

So anyhoo- back to the sneezing. Today at work, we were sent an email about the new way to sneeze. So this email described the new way to sneeze is not to cover you nose/mouth with your germ-carrier hands, but to sneeze into the sleeve of your shirt, around the elbow area. Then It went on to say about how not all fabrics are the same, some are better than others...etc etc. Now the theory behind this all is that you're less likely to touch another surface (i.e. person) with your sleeve, thus not relaying the germs and not spreading the cold/flu, because people don't wash their hands nearly as much as they should (another blog for another day).

A few observations about this new way of sneezing:

1. I like my clothes- why on earth would I want sneeze on my shirt!
2. I hate doing laundry, and don't mind washing my hands- so why would I risk having to do more laundry simply for the sake of not washing my hands, which i should do more often anyway?
3. Reaction time- Seriously, when you feel a sneeze coming on- you've got about 2.2 seconds- as was the case this afternoon, where i nearly punched myself in the face trying to change my sneezing ways- at first i motioned my hands to my face then realized i should try this new thing so tried to swing my elbow up- needless to say it didn't make it in time. A co-worker who observed this ever-so-ungraceful sneeze said "oh you read the email!" I answered yes while reaching for a tissue.
4. I'm a creature of habit, I've been sneezing this way for 20 years, it may take me just as long to unlearn my germy ways (let's face it, the first 6 I wasn't all too concerned about covering my mouth- admit it you weren't either as a little tyke)
5. I'm a hugger- so frankly, the idea of hugging someone after having sneezed in my elbow, well I just don't think that's right...

So now as I'm feeling more and more congested...I'll sign off on this one, and head to bed. And yes, I'll have a box of kleenex next to me for my sneezing emergencies.

Gesundheit!

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btw- for those wondering, the magical happy weekend referenced in the previous post was an impromptu road trip to T.O.